BMW 3 series (E46) - strengths and weaknesses of the model
It drives great and is less fun to drive than many pure sports cars. That said, it still looks fantastic (especially in black or carbon graphite) and sounds extremely predatory on the six-cylinder versions. The BMW 3 Series E46 is a real Bavarian that you can fall in love with after the first few kilometers. However, this love, due to the provocative nature of the car, often turns out to be quite expensive.
Series 3 marked with the symbol E46 went on sale in 1998. Less than a year later, the offer was replenished with a station wagon and a coupe, and in 2000 a stylish convertible also entered the price list. In 2001, an outsider appeared in the offer called Compact - a shortened version of the model, addressed to young and active people. In the same period, the car also underwent a thorough modernization - not only the interior assembly quality improved, but new power units were introduced, existing ones were improved and the exterior was changed - the “troika” took on even more greed and Bavarian style. In this form, the car existed until the end of production, that is, until 2005, when a successor appeared in the proposal - the E90 model.
The BMW 3 Series has always evoked emotions. This was partly due to the fact that the checkerboard on the hood was worn, and partly because of the excellent opinion of Bavarian cars. BMW, as one of the few manufacturers, still insists on the classic drive system, which attracts many fans. Rear-wheel drive makes driving incredibly fun, especially in difficult winter weather conditions.
The BMW 3 Series E46 fits in perfectly with the brand's philosophy - a sporty, springy suspension gives you the perfect feel for the road and makes you smile at every turn. Unfortunately, the sportiness of the car very often provokes a dynamic and very sporty ride, which, unfortunately, affects the durability of the suspension elements (especially in Polish realities). Heavily used vehicles, which are unfortunately not in short supply in the secondary market, turn out to be very expensive to run over time. Although the 3 Series is considered a reliable and very durable car, it also has its downsides. One of them is the transmission and suspension - in heavily “tortured” cars, interfering sounds are heard from the differential area (fortunately, leaks are relatively rare), and in the front suspension there are non-replaceable rocker pins. hands. In cars of the initial production period, the rear suspension did not have beam pads attached.
There are also drawbacks to good-sounding gasoline units, which are generally reliable and do not cause problems. The largest of them is the cooling system, the malfunctions of which (pump, thermostat, leakage of the tank and pipes) make in-line, six-cylinder engines “stuffed” under the hood very sensitive to overheating (cylinder head gasket).
Diesel engines generally work without problems, but like all modern diesel engines, they also have problems with the power system (pump, injectors, flow meter). Turbochargers are considered very durable, and modern diesels based on the Common Rail system (2.0 D 150 hp, 3.0 D 204 hp) are distinguished by velvety operation and very low diesel consumption.
The BMW 3 E46 is a well-made car that drives even better. It provides an excellent driving experience, high comfort on the road (rich equipment), but in the sedan version it is not suitable for a spacious family car (small trunk, cramped interior, especially at the rear). The station wagon is a little more practical, but there is still little space in the back seat. In addition, the 3rd E46 series is not a very cheap car to maintain. Sophisticated and advanced design coupled with electronics means that not every workshop can handle professional vehicle maintenance. And the sera E46 definitely demands to be able to enjoy its reliability. Original spare parts are expensive, and replaced ones are often of poor quality. Three-liter diesels burn a small amount of diesel fuel, but the costs of maintenance and possible repairs are very high. On the other hand, petrol units cause relatively less problems (timing chain drive), but have a rather large appetite for fuel (six-cylinder versions). However, fans of four wheels with a white-and-blue checkerboard pattern on the hood are not deterred - it is not difficult to fall in love with this car.
Foot. BMW
